WAUSAU - Downtown Wausau will be bustling with activity this Saturday as a couple of thousand people descend on it for the fifth annual Winter Fest.

From ice carving to a Mac-n-Cheese Contest to Winter Brew Fest, the winter celebrations will include a large array of activities for both children and adults.

"It's going to be a fun event with a lot more activities (than in previous years) and a lot more things going on outside and inside," said Lindsey Lewitzke, executive director at Wausau Events, the organization in charge of coordinating the festival.

In this 2012 file photo, Steve Brandt of Cedarburg carves a swan sculpture out of a ice block during Winter Fest 2012 at The 400 Block in downtown Wausau.(Photo: File/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Here's an outline of what the festival will entail and what you need to know:

WHEN, WHERE AND COST

There is no cost to attend Winter Fest, although certain activities require a fee. The festival will take place at various venues all throughout downtown Wausau with a large portion of the events convening around The 400 Block, located near the intersection of Scott Street and Fourth Street. Winter Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and is followed by Winter Brew Fest, which costs from $30 to $40 and runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, at Elk's Lodge No. 248, 414 Scott St., Wausau.

WHAT'S NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

This year, Winter Fest organizers have added three new activities to the schedule: a weight-pulling competition for dogs; fat tire bicycle demonstrations; and an educational program featuring live owls. The weight-pulling dog contest includes the participation of more than 40 dogs vying to pull the heaviest load atop a sled for around 15 to 20 feet.

The bicycle demonstration allows people to test out fat tire bikes, ideal for riding snow-covered roads, from Trek Bicycle. And the live owl program, held by the Raptor Education Group Inc., will allow attendees to learn more about the birds, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the City Square Office Center, 500 Third St., Wausau.

The bike demonstration and weight-pulling contest will happen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on The 400 Block.

Claire Butalla of Wausau tries curling while her cousin Jake Pease of Marathon looks on at The 400 Block in downtown Wausau at the 2014 Winter Fest.(Photo: File/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

ACTIVITY LINEUP

All activities are free and happen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Snow slide: Every year a slide is crafted out of snow at the festival so that children have the chance to play and glide down it. The slide is located on The 400 Block.

Ice skating: Part of The 400 Block is transformed into an ice rink during the winter and will be open for skating during Winter Fest. Bring your own skates or rent a pair for $10 at the nearby Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods, 324 Scott St., Wausau.

Ice Tee Classic: Head to Yawkey Park, 320 Grant St., Wausau, for The Neighbors' Place's annual mini golf event in the snow. Participants can tee off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ice Carving: Watch as ice carvers create art out of frozen water on The 400 Block.

Dog weight pulling competition: Cheer on the 40 dogs participating in this contest. It's happening on The 400 Block.

Curling demonstrations: If you're intrigued by the winter sport of curling, now is your chance to give it a try. This activity is organized by the Wausau Curling Club and is happening on The 400 Block.

Horse-drawn wagon rides: Experience downtown Wausau in a different mode of transportation: a horse-drawn wagon. The rides depart from The 400 Block.

Face painting: Head to the Great Hall inside The Grand, 401 N. Fourth St., Wausau, to get a pretty design painted on your face.

Sensory play time: The Wausau Children's Museum will be holding this kids activity in the Wausau Center, 302 Washington St., Wausau.

Live owl program: Held inside City Square Office Center, this program will feature live owls and educational information from the Raptor Education Group.

People ride on a horse-drawn carriage during Saturday's Winter Fest at The 400 block in downtown Wausau, Feb. 11, 2012.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Caricatures: Leave Winter Fest with a funny sketch of yourself by heading to La Prima Deli, 529 Third St., Wausau, for a caricature.

Sculpture snowman art project: The event will be held at the Center for Visual Arts, 427 Fourth St., Wausau.

Fat tire bike demonstration: Take a ride around downtown on any of the fat tire bikes brought by Trek Bicycle during the festival. The demonstrations will be held on The 400 Block.

Story hour: Janke Book Store, 505 Third St., Wausau, will be holding readings at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Arts and crafts: The Marathon County Public Library will be holding a story hour beginning at 10:30 a.m., and then follow it with arts and crafts, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the library, 300 First St., Wausau. The Marathon County Historical Society and Center for Visual Arts will also have crafts and art projects for children at the City Square Office Center throughout the festival.

Nail art and hand treatments: Glam up your fingers with nail art and soften your hands with a paraffin wax treatment during the festival at the Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio, 300 Third St., Wausau.

In this 2013 file photo, Rob German and his son Gabriel watch as Rob's other son, Maxwell, puts his ball in the hole at Yawkey Park in downtown Wausau during the annual Ice Tee Classic.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin file photo)

FOOD AND DRINK ACTIVITIES

Mac-n-Cheese Contest: Six different restaurants will prepare their own version of this classic comfort food and vie for the title of best mac-n-cheese in this friendly competition. You can grab some delicious, cheese-covered noodles from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Great Hall inside The Grand. This year, City Grill, Red Eye Brewing Company, Polito's Pizza, Mint Cafe, Thrive Foodery and Noodles & Company are all participating in the competition. Tasting costs $5 per person.

Hot chocolate: Grab a cup of hot cocoa to warm up at various venues in Wausau. The Great Hall, City Square Office Center, Yawkey Park and the Elk's Lodge will all be serving up this warm drink during the festival.

Cupcake decorating: Personalize a cupcake — and then eat it, of course — at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 426 Washington St., Wausau. The activity will be held in the Guild Hall on the church's lower level.

Cookie decorating: If cupcakes aren't for you, beautify a cookie instead at the Great Hall inside The Grand.

Winter Brew Fest: This event isn't part of Winter Fest, but it happens shortly after the festivities end. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a festival featuring more than 40 types of beer will be held at Elk's Lodge No. 248. In addition to beer, the three-hour event also includes a commemorative glass, a baked potato bar, live music and some wine for those who don't fancy brew. Tickets, which cost $30 in advance or $40 at the door, are limited and sold out Monday afternoon.

MORE INFORMATION

For further details or to purchase tickets to Winter Brew Fest, go to wausauevents.org.